Surgical splint



3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 23 1926.

K. C. LINE SURGICAL SPLINT Filed July 25 1925 Nov. 23 1926.

K. C. LINE sUnGxcAL sPLINT Filed July 25 192s 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 K Nov. 23 1926. 1,607,834 K. C. LINE SURGICAL SPLINT Filed July 25, 1925 I5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Nov. 23, 1926.

UNITED STATES essere PATENT orrler..

KENNETH C.'LINE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,` ASSIGNOR TO' GEORGE l. GRINDE, OF

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. y

SURGICAL SPLINT.

Application filed July 25, 1925. Serial No. zl.`

Figure 2 is a .front elevation with parts omitted; y

Figure 3 is an enlarged side eleva-tion oi the upper end of the splint;

Figure i is a rear view of the same; Figure 5 is an inside View showing the attachment of the upper collar to one of vthe side members;

Figure 6 is a 'section taken at the line 6-6 oit' Figure 3 on an enlarged scale showing a portion oit the upper end of the splint;

Figure 7 is a bottom elevation showing the operating mechanism;

Figure S isa vertical cross section taken on the line S-S ot Figure 7V;

F'gure 9 is a section taken on line 9 9 of Figure l;

Figure l() is a detail-ed cross section showing one of the adjustable leg retaining mem* bers; the section being made at line 10-10 oi Figure 9; y

.Figure l1 is an elevation with parts in section showing one of the leg supporting members Figure l2 is an elevation of a combined operating key and screw driver.

Like parts are designated by like .char acters throughout. Y

il, A are hollow side members. They are 40 preferably rectangular in cross section.

D is hollow base portion having two upwardly extending perforated lugs B1 B1. Upon each oi these lugs B1 is seated one'of the side members A.

C, C are upper 'side members adapted to be telescoped within the lower members A. Each of the upper members C is provided ii its lower end with a threaded plug C1 D7 D are threaded rods which are threaded into the threaded plugs C1. Each of them is provided Vadjacent its lower end with a smooth portion D1 which lies within the perfor-ation in the lug B1. At its lower end each of the members D carries a pinion which lies within the hollow portion of the base member B. The base member B is normally closed by a cover plate B2 which in the preferred-form has on its outer or working faceanelastic or shock absorbing cover B3. Mounted within the member B is a main drivingpinion D3 which is preferably provided withl an angular peroration D4. Mounted `also withinvthejbase -portion B are two gears D5 D5. Each of them is mounted onA a movable bolt'DG DG which bolt is normally held up in' position shown in the left vott Figure S, by means of the spring D?. VIVhen the gear is in this position it meshes with the driving pinion D3 and the pinion D2 on the member D. For the4 purpose of throwing one or the other of the screws out of operation, the bolt iD may be depressed against the action of the spring D7 and the gear which it carries is` thrown out of mesh with the pinion D2. Thus one of the screws'is thrown out of operation and the other may be rotated alone. Rotation of the screws serves to move in or out the upperV telescoping members C, and by means of this rotation the side members of the splint may be lengthened or shortened at the will of the operator and may bemoved together or separately.

F is an operating tool having the squared end F1 adapted to be inserted into the opening D4 whereby the driving pinion D3 may be rotated. F2 is a screw driver on the tool adapted for use as a screw driver in connection with other adjustments to the splint.

G is a rest or vsupport pivoted. adjacent v the bottom of the splint: lhen the splint is in the erect or upright position it swings down into the position shown in full lines in Figure l. When the wearer 'is lying down the rest lG swings into the position shown in dotted lines in Figure l, and thus automatically supports'the splint and with it the. limb of the wearer. -1

Adjustably mounted at suitable intervals alongithel member Care clips H. These clips as shown are formed of two members and have tightening bolts H1. The bolts may be lo-osened and the members slipped over the splint to a suitable location. rIheA bolts are then tightened and the parts held in adjustment.

Pivotally mounted on each of these members is a Strap engaging clamp I. Each of these clamps is formed of two members as shown and between the members a strap portion I1 passes. The two members of the clamp I are fastened together by adjusting nuts I2. and these nuts may be loosened to permit the strap to be slipped 4for adjustment through the clamps and then to tighten it in the adjusted position. The strap member is provided with a flap I3 which may be of any fabric and is preferably supplied with stifening members I4. I5 I5 are attaching' straps adapted to fasten together the adjacent ends of the strap members I1. These members I5 are preferably provided with perforations substantially throughout their entire length and they are `fastened at each end to buckles I6 on the member I1. I7 I7 are curved supporting members adapted to hold the limb of the wearer in place. and they areA themselves supported in the straps I1.v They may be of any suitable form. In the preferred form herewith illustrated they are made of a metal center I8 and the eze terior is' cloth.

J is a boot or stirrup in which the foot of thek wearer is positioned. It is supported from the side members by means of an adjustable strap J1. When the wearer is upright and walking` the foot is carried in this member J which is omitted in Figure 2 for the purpose of clearness. J2 J2 are straps which may be adhesive material fastened to the limb of the wearer or the dressing of the limb. J3 Js are straps, each of which is fastened at one end to a side member A by means of a buckle J4. At its other end each of the members Js carries a buckle J 5 and to this buckle the lower end of the strap J 2 is secured. Thestraps J 3 pass under the cleats J 6 on the member B. Then the side members are extended, tension is exerted on the strap J 3 and through it on the strap J i and the limb of the wearer is extended.

Fastened to each of the upper side members C on its inside is an attaching1 plate K. It is held preferably by means of screws K1. Mounted between the plate K and the side members C and supported largely by the upper screw K2 is a locking plate L. This plate is mounted on the upper screw K2 for slight pivotal movement to permit some rocking adjustment. Each of the plates L adjacent its front end has removably and adj ustably mounted upon it a strap and buckle L1 L1. Adjacent its rear it has mounted upon it a buckle L2. L3 is a loop shaped supporting and retainingl member which is bent around so as to rest at one end upon one of the members L and at the other end upon the other member L. -It has adjacent its upper edge a number of supporting cleats or hooks L4, and adjacent its lower edge a number of steadying;` or engaginghooks or cleats L5. Its upper edge is slotted and bent outward as at L, and thus the upper edge is somewhat spring-gy. Fastened to this slotted and outwardly bent upper edge is a padding M which may be of any suitable nature. It may be of felt or spong'y rubber or any other cushionina' material. Adjacent each end of this paddimry is fastened on its outer edge a loop M1 which is adapted to receive the strap and buckle O1. Surrounding the entire upper end of the splint and overlying' the padding just mentioned as well as the plates above described is an additional cushioning` shield N. which may be of spongy rubber or other cushioning material. It is preferably covered with a removable and washable cover N1 which overlies the member' L3 and extends substantially about the entire splint. Adjacent its ends it perforated so that the buckles and straps L1. M1 may pass through to engage additional straps O, Ol. By means of these straps the two edges of the plate L3 may be drawn together. Further adjustment is provided by means of a strap O2 which engages the two buckles L2 L2 which are fastened to the plates L in the rear of the splint.

The plate membersl L and L are preferably made of somewhat iiexible metal. and thus they can be bent and sprung;v to permit adjustment by the tightening or looseningY of the various straps which hold them. The entire ring assembly about the upper end of the splint is supported from the plates L. and these as was mentioned above. are mounted for some pivotal or tilting;r movement and thus the entire ring assembly may be rocked backward and forward to permit of adjustn'ient. This rocking is preferably carried out by looseningT the upper screw K2 and when the ringe; has been tilted to the proper angle the screw is tightened and the set screw P is tightened against it.

Each of the upper members C* is provided with a perforation Q. It is a side -member provided with perforated inwardly bent ears R1 adapted to overlie the upper end of one of the members C. By means of a bolt It?, the member R is pivotally supported from the perforation Q at the upper end of the side member C. The perforation is mounted close to the upper end and thus considerable lateral 'iiexure of the part R is possible without interi'erence with the other members of the splint. y By this means some lateral movement of the limb of the wearer is possible.

S is an upper member provided with a plurality of perforations S1 adapted by means of a bolt S2 to be adjustably supported on the member R. S3 is a retaining ring adapted to hold the two members against relative pivotal movement.

Tis a belt supported from the member It, provided with straps 'T1 T1 by means of which it may be adjusted and tightened.

U'is a belt supported adjacent the upper end of the memberL S, provided with straps 1 by means of which it may be adjusted and tightened. Each of the belts T and is supported fromthe side member which carries it, and thus slight rotary or pivotal movement of each of the beltswith relation to the member to which it is attached is possible.

r Although I have shown an operative device, still it will be evident that many changes vmight be made in size, shape and arrangement of parts without departing materially from the spirit of my invention, and

I wish therefore that my showing be taken as ina sense diagrammatic.

The use and operation of my invention are -as follows:

When a leg has been broken and it is desired to usea splint ofthe type shown herewith,the bones are first set and then the splint is adjusted to the wearer, being genlerally adjusted to the shape and sizeof the limb beforebeing put in place. The side members by means of the key and gears at the bottom of the splint ai'e elongated or shortened, the straps for the lower part of the limb are adjusted up or down, tightened orY loosened, and tilted toconform to the form of the limb of the individual, and the upper ring member is also adjusted. 'Ilie splint is then set in place. about the limb and the straps tightened to hold the limb rigid within the splint. Some form of taping or other arrangement is used whereby the foot is held down in the splint and thus traction can be applied by elongating the splint side members, and ltension put on the limb to hold it or to extend it.

= The upper extension member is fastened about the body of the wearer and holds the limb properly supported. As conditions change an adjustment of all `the parts of the splintfcan be carried out. One or the other of the side members may be lengthened or shortened or may be moved together. rIhe straps which hold the cloth and the upper part ofthe limb together with the splint members which they carry can be pivoted about their support and they can be raised or lowered along the side members of the splint, and they can be tightened or loosened. The upper ring member may be similarly treated and may be rocked backward and forwardto one side or the other and it may be raised or it may be tightened at the will of the operator.

I claim:

1. In combination in a surgical hip, leg and foot splint anextensible longitudinal member, means for moving this member in or out, said longitudinal member ljoined at its bottom to a base portion and carrying adjacentvits upper end a supporting collar, said collar being slidably and Vpivot-ally mounted upon said member.

2. In combination in a surgical hip, leg

and foot splint a plurality of extensible'lon* gitudinal members, selective mechanical means for moving said members in or out Vin unison and separately, said members joined at their bottom to a base portion, and being additionally oined adjacent their upper ends by a supporting collar, said collar 4l. In combination in a surgical hip, leg

and foot splint an extensible longitudinal member, mechanical means for moving this member in or out, said longitudinal member joined at the bottointo a base portion and carryingadjacent its upper end a supporting collar, said collar being slidably and pivotally inountedupon said member, and

being provided with means whereby it may be reduced or enlarged in diameter.

In combination in a surgical hip, leg

`and yfoot splint Van extensible longitudinal member, mechanical means for moving this member inor out, said longitudinal member joined `t the bottom to a base portion and carrying adjacent its upper end a supporting collar, said collar being slidably and pivotally mounted uponV saidmember, and being provided with means whereby it may be reduced or enlarged in diameter, collar formed at its upper edge of spring inaterial.

(i. In combination inl a surgical hip, leg foot splint a plurality of eXtensible udinal members selective mechanical means for moving said members in or out in unison and separately,l said members joined at their bottom to a base portion, and being additionally joined adjacent their upper'ends by a supporting collar, said collar being slidably and pivotally. mounted upon said longitudinal members, and being provided with means whereby itma-y be reduced or enlarged in diameter, said collar formed at its upper edge of spring material.

7. In combination in a surgical hip, leg

lli)

and foot splint a plurality of extensible longitudinal members, selective means for moving said members in or out in unison and separately, said members joined at their bottom to a base portion, the moving mechanism being included therein, and being additionally joined adjacent their upper ends by a supporting collar, said collar being slidably and pivotally mounted upon said longitudinal members, and being provided with means whereby it may be reduced or enlarged in diameter, said collar formed at its upper edge of spring material and carrying additionally thereupon a cushioning part.

8.In combination in a surgical hip, leg and foot splint a plurality of extensible longitudinal members, selective means for moving said members in or out in unison and separately, said members joined at their bottom to a base portion, the moving mechanism being included therein, and being additionally joined adjacent their upper ends by a supporting collar, said collar being slidably and pivotally mounted upon said longitudinally members, and being provided with means whereby it may be reduced or enlarged in diameter, said collar formed at its upper edge of spring material and carrying additionally thereupon a removable cushioning part.

9. In combination in a surgical hip, leg and toot splint an extensible longitudinal member, means for moving this member in or out, said longitudinal member joined at its bottom to a base portion and carrying adjacent its upper end a supporting collar, said collar being slidably and pivotally mounted upon said member, there being supported on said longitudinal member intermediate its ends a limb supporting and engaging part slidably and pivotally mounted.

10. In combination in a surgical hip, leg 'and foot splint a plurality of extensible longitudinal members, selective means for moving said members in or out in unison and separately, said members joined at their bottom to a base portion, the moving mechanism being included therein, and being additionally joined adjacent their upper ends by a supporting collar, said collar being slidably and pivotally mounted upon said longitudinal members, and being provided with means whereby it may be reduced or enlarged in diameter, said collar formed at its upper edge of spring material and carrying additionally thereupon a removable cushioning part, there being supported on said longitudinal members intermediate their ends, a limb supporting and engaging part slidably and pivotally mounted.

ll. In combination in a surgical hip, leg and foot splint an extensible longitudinal member, means for lengthening or shorten- -mg said members, said longitudinal member joined at its bottom to a base portion and carrying adjacent its upper end a supporting collar, said collar being slidably and pivotally mounted upon said member, and means tor locking said collar in any suitable adjusted position.

12. In combination in asurgical hip, leg and loot splint a plurality of extensible longitudinal members, selective means for lengthening or shortening said members in unison and separately, said members joined at their bottom to a base portion, and being additionally joined adjacent their upper ends by a supporting collar, said collar being slidably and pivotally mounted upon said longitudinal members, and means for locking said collar in any suitable adjusted position.

I3. In combination with a surgical hip, leg and toot splint a supporting and engaging collar slidably mounted upon said splint and adapted to be rotated with relation thereto, and means for locking the same in adjusted position against further rotation, said collar adapted to be moved with relation to said splint wholly or in part.

lll. In combination with a surgical hip, leg and toot splint a supporting and engaging collar slidably mounted upon said splint and adapted to be rotated with relation thereto, and means for locking the same in adjusted position against further rotation, said collar adapted to be moved with relation to said splint wholly or in part, and means for enlarging or reducing the diameter ot the collar.

l5. In combination with a surgical hip, leg and vtoot splint a supporting and engaging collar slidably mounted upon said splint and adapted to be rotated With relation thereto, and means for locking the same in ladjusted position against further rotation, said collar adapted to be moved with relation to said splint wholly or in part, and means Jfor enlarging or reducing the diameter o'tl the collar, said collar being formed of a band bent in partially circular form and provided with tensioning devices adapted to draw its ends closer together or to permit them to separate.

16. In a surgical hip, leg and toot splint provided With longitudinal members adapted for expansion and contraction, and operating means therefor, including a train of gears, and a main gear adapted to be rotated to cause movement of the longitudinal member, and a plurality of controlling gears one for each of said longitudinal members, each of such controlling gears separately adjustable whereby it may be thrown out of operation and the mechanism may thereafter be operated without operating the longitudinal member controlled by said controlling gear.

17. In combination in a surgical hip, leg

and foot splint an extensible longitudinal member, means for shortening and lengthening such member, the collar on said membei' adapted to be positioned about a leg and a hip immobilizing attachment adapted to be fastened to such extensible member and tol pass along' the body of the wearer, in com- 'bination with a belt movably attached to such hip immobilizing device and embracing the body of the wearer.

Signed at Chicago, county of Cook and State of Illinois, this 23rd day of'July,

KENNETH C. LINE. 

